Method and apparatus for storing energy

ABSTRACT

An energy storage apparatus for storing energy transmitted by a power transmission line includes an elastically deformable component and an actuator-generator. The actuator-generator is coupled to the elastically deformable component such that electrical actuation of the actuator-generator generates tension in the elastically deformable component. The actuator-generator is further coupled to the elastically deformable component such that mechanical actuation of the actuator-generator via a release of tension in the elastically deformable component causes a generation of electrical energy by the actuator-generator.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. ______(Attorney Docket No. 088245-9910), titled “Method and Apparatus forRemoval of Harmonic Noise,” filed Feb. 6, 2012, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Power on an electric grid for a particular region is generally producedvia a plurality of distinct sources at a plurality of locations. Thetotal demand for power by the collective end users on a grid variestemporally at a rate unmatched by the rate at which power productionsources respond. Specifically, the rates of changes in power productionare typically too slow to precisely match electricity demand increasesand decreases. While systems may be implemented to watch demand and toalter, curtail, or increase production in response to the changes indemand, the inequality in the rate changes between demand and productiongenerally cause fluctuations in the frequency of the grid power.

Frequency of the grid power varies at least temporarily as load andgeneration change. These variations tend to be in sub-hertz (i.e. 0.5Hz) range on systems operating at 60 Hz or 50 Hz. More specifically, anoverload in demand on the system typically causes the overall systemfrequency to decrease, and a significant reduction in demand typicallycauses the overall system frequency to increase.

The slow response time in responding to fluctuations in supply anddemand on an electrical grid leads to system inefficiencies, wastedpower, and dirty electricity (electricity at frequencies other than theprimary frequencies).

SUMMARY

The inventors have appreciated that energy storage means, particularlythrough means capable of rapid energy generation and release, provideadvantageous structures for regulating and managing electrical energyand the generation and use thereof. In view of the foregoing, thepresent disclosure is directed to methods and apparatuses for energystorage.

In one embodiment, an energy storage apparatus for storing energytransmitted by a power transmission line includes an elasticallydeformable component and an actuator-generator coupled to theelastically deformable component. The actuator generator is configuredfor coupling to the power transmission line. The actuator-generator maybe coupled to the elastically deformable component, such that electricalactuation of the actuator-generator generates tension in the elasticallydeformable component. The actuator-generator may also be coupled to theelastically deformable component, such that mechanical actuation of theactuator-generator, via a release of tension in the elasticallydeformable component, causes a generation of electrical energy by theactuator-generator.

In some embodiments, the energy storage apparatus may include acontroller coupled to the actuator-generator. The controller may beconfigured to modulate electrical energy consumption and generation ofthe actuator-generator. The controller may further be configured tomodulate electrical energy consumption and generation at rates greaterthan or equal to 10 Hz, 1 Hz, or the primary frequency of the powertransmission line.

In some embodiments, the actuator-generator of the energy storageapparatus may include at least one of an electro-hydraulic component, anelectromechanical component, an electromagnetic component, or anelectro-fluidic. The actuator-generator may include a piezoelectriccomponent in some embodiments.

The energy storage apparatus may include an electrical power sourcecoupled to the actuator-generator, which power source may include apower transmission line.

The elastically deformable component of the energy storage apparatus mayinclude a cable. The actuator-generator may be coupled to at least oneend of the cable. In some embodiments, the actuator-generator may becoupled to the cable at a point on the cable disposed between a firstend of the cable and a second end of the cable. The cable may be anon-rotating cable, a monolithic cable, a stranded cable, a straightstranded cable, or a twisted stranded cable. The cable may have acircular cross-section, a rectangular cross-section, or a ribbon-likecross section. The cable may be a hanging cable which may includeweights coupled thereto in accordance with some embodiments. The cablemay be pre-tensioned, for example, via weights in accordance withvarious inventive embodiments. The cable may be configured in a linearorientation and may be configured in a plurality of folds via aplurality of bearings. The cable may be composed of steel, an organicpolymer, a synthetic polymer such as Kevlar, or Zylon, of a carbonfiber, such as carbon nanotubes.

In some embodiments, the actuator-generator may be coupled to theelastically deformable component, such that electrical actuation of theactuator generator generates torsional tension in the elasticallydeformable component. In other embodiments, the actuator-generator maybe coupled to the elastically deformable component, such that electricalactuation of the actuator-generator generates linear tension in theelastically deformable component.

In some embodiments, the energy storage apparatus may include a housingin which at least a portion of the elastically deformable component andthe actuator-generator are disposed.

In some embodiments, the actuator-generator includes a rotary motor, andin some embodiments, the actuator-generator includes a linear motor.

The actuator-generator may be configured to maintain the tensiongenerated in the elastically deformable component in some embodiments.The actuator-generator may include at least one of a brake, a releasableratchet, or a movable pin actuatable to maintain the tension generatedin the elastically deformable component.

The energy storage apparatus may include at least one sensor coupled tothe elastically deformable component or the actuator-generator. Thesensor may be configured to measure the tension in the elasticallydeformable component, which tension may include linear strain or shearstrain. The sensor may be configured to measure force or torque appliedby the actuator-generator, or may be configured to measure stress in theelastically deformable component. The energy storage apparatus mayinclude a strain gauge coupled to the elastically deformable componentfor measuring the strain in the elastically deformable component. Theenergy storage apparatus may include at least one sensor coupled to atleast one of the elastically deformable component or theactuator-generator, which sensor may be configured to measure an energystorage quantity or an energy efficiency of the energy storageapparatus.

In some embodiments, the actuator-generator of the energy storageapparatus may be coupled to the elastically deformable component, suchthat electrically actuating the actuator-generator causes an applicationof a transverse force to the elastically deformable component.

In some embodiments, the energy storage apparatus may be coupled to apower-sink and the power sink may be the power transmission line.

Other exemplary inventive embodiments disclosed herein provide an energystorage apparatus for storing energy transmitted by a power transmissionline. The energy storage apparatus includes an elastically deformablecomponent coupled to an actuator and a generator. The actuator isconfigured for coupling to the power transmission line. The actuator maybe coupled to the elastically deformable component, such thatelectrically actuating the actuator generates tension in the elasticallydeformable component. The generator may be coupled to the elasticallydeformable member such that mechanical actuation of the actuatorgenerator via a release of tension in the elastically deformablecomponent causes a generation of electrical energy by the generator.

Other exemplary inventive embodiments disclosed herein provide an energystorage apparatus that includes an elastically deformable componentcoupled to a power transducer. The power transducer is configured forcoupling to a power transmission line. The power transducer may beconfigured to generate, from electrical energy received from a powersource, elastic energy in the elastically deformable component bytensile deformation of the elastically deformable component. The powertransducer may also be configured to generate electrical energy, fromelastic energy received from the elastically deformable component.

Some exemplary inventive embodiments disclosed herein provide a methodfor storing energy. The method, according to some embodiments, includesgenerating tension in an elastically deformable component via anelectrically actuatable motor. The tension is generated by the motorduring a temporal period of electrical actuation of the motor. Themethod further includes actuating an electrical generator coupled to theelastically deformable component via restoring force produced by theelastically deformable component during a release of at least a part ofthe tension generated in the elastically deformable component, therebygenerating electrical energy.

In another exemplary inventive embodiment, a method of maintaining apower transmission line at a specified electrical frequency is provided.The method of maintaining a power transmission line at a specifiedelectrical frequency includes measuring an electrical frequency of thepower transmission line and adjusting the electrical frequency of thepower transmission line such that the electrical frequency issubstantially equal to the specified electrical frequency. Theelectrical frequency may be adjusted by at least one of removingelectricity from the power transmission line or adding electricity tothe power transmission line. Removing electricity from the powertransmission line includes comprises transmitting electricity from thepower transmission line to an electrically actuatable motor and therebyactuating the motor to generate tension in an elastically deformablecomponent. Adding electricity to the power transmission line includesgenerating, with a generator coupled to the elastically deformablecomponent, electricity via actuation of the generator by a restoringforce produced by the elastically deformable component during a releaseof at least a part of the tension generated in the elasticallydeformable component.

The method of maintaining a power transmission line at a specifiedelectrical frequency may also include removing, via a filter,electricity at a frequency distinct from the specified electricalfrequency from the power transmission line and transmitting theelectricity at a frequency distinct from the specified electricalfrequency to the motor to generate tension in the elastically deformablecomponent.

Exemplary inventive embodiments also provide a computer program product.The computer program product includes computer readable code stored on atangible storage medium. The computer readable code forms a computerprogram executable by a computer for maintaining an electrical output ofa power transmission line at a specified electrical frequency. Thecomputer program includes computer code for causing a sensor to measurethe electrical frequency of the power transmission line and computercode for adjusting the electrical frequency of the power transmissionline such that the electrical frequency is substantially equal to thespecified electrical frequency by at least one of removing electricityfrom the power transmission line or adding electricity to the powertransmission line. Removing electricity from the power transmission linebased on the computer code includes causing transmission of electricityfrom the power transmission line to an electrically actuatable motor andthereby actuating the motor to generate tension in an elasticallydeformable component. Adding electricity to the power transmission linebased on the computer code includes causing generation, via a generatorcoupled to the elastically deformable component, of electricity viaactuation of the generator by a restoring force produced by theelastically deformable component during a release of at least a part ofthe tension generated in the elastically deformable component andcausing transmission of the generating electricity to the powertransmission line.

It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing conceptsand additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided suchconcepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being partof the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, allcombinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of thisdisclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subjectmatter disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The skilled artisan will understand that the drawings primarily are forillustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of theinventive subject matter described herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates an energy storage and generation apparatus connectedto a power source, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates an energy storage and generation apparatus connectedto a power source, in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows an energy storage and generation apparatus having a linearactuator configured to translate in a direction transverse to the axisof an energy storage component, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows an energy storage and generation apparatus having a linearactuator configured to translate along the axis of an energy storagecomponent, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 5 depicts an energy storage and generation apparatus actuating afolded or undulated energy storage component, in accordance with oneembodiment.

The features and advantages of the inventive concepts disclosed hereinwill become more apparent from the detailed description set forth belowwhen taken in conjunction with the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Following below are more detailed descriptions of various conceptsrelated to, and embodiments of, inventive apparatuses, methods, andsystems for storing energy. It should be appreciated that variousconcepts introduced above and discussed in greater detail below may beimplemented in any of numerous ways, as the disclosed concepts are notlimited to any particular manner of implementation. Examples of specificimplementations and applications are provided primarily for illustrativepurposes.

Various exemplary embodiments are directed generally to apparatusesmethods for storing energy and optionally using stored energy togenerate electricity. Various embodiments are particularly directedtowards the conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy, theuse of the mechanical energy to generate potential energy which may betemporally stored, and the harvesting of electrical energy from storedpotential energy. The concepts disclosed herein may have substantialutility in the context of power regulation and rapid responses inconnection with fluctuating energy demands.

FIG. 1 illustrates an energy storage and generation apparatus connectedto a power source, according to one embodiment. In the embodimentdepicted in FIG. 1, the energy storage and generation apparatus 100includes an elastically deformable component 101. Elastically deformablecomponent 101 may be composed of a cable. The elastically deformablemember is coupled to an actuator in the form of a combinedmotor-generator 102 in the depicted embodiment. Motor-generator 102 is arotary actuator in the illustrated exemplary embodiment. In accordancewith various inventive embodiments, elastically deformable member 101may be coupled to a distinct motor or actuator and a distinct generator.Motor-generator 102 is coupled to component 101 for rotatably applying aforce to generation torsional tension (referenced by actuation direction111) to component 101. Motor-generator is coupled to an extremity ofcomponent 101 in the illustrated embodiment. The extremity of component101 opposing the extremity coupled to motor-actuator 102 is coupled to astationary structure to assist in the twisting of the component 101 uponactuation of the end coupled to the motor-generator. As such, uponrotary actuation of the motor-generator 102, component 101 is twistedand in opposition to a return force wanted to return the component toits untwisted configuration. The motor-generator is anchored via base105 to a stationary structure 106 to maintain the motor in a stationaryorientation when torsional tension is generated in component 101.Structure 106 may support component to prevent a force, torque or momentapplied to the component from causing a complete rotation of thecomponent.

Motor-generator 102 is actuated via electrical energy transmitted from apower transmission line 110. In some embodiments, energy storage andgeneration apparatus 100 may be disposed in a housing coupled directlyto a utility pole carrying the power transmission line and may bedirectly or indirectly coupled to the power transmission line. Inembodiments where the motor-generator is indirectly coupled to the powertransmission line, intermediate components such as transformers orrectifiers may be disposed between the power transmission line 110 andthe motor-generator 102.

Motor-generator 102 may be actuated for power regulation, for examplewhen more power is being produced than is required. Particularly inresponse to a decrease in demand or an increase in capacity, certainembodiments disclosed herein may be utilized a mechanism for temporarilystoring a portion of the excess energy through consumption by themotor-generator for elastically stretching component 101. Upon anincrease in demand and a decrease in capacity, the stored energy may berapidly released to provide a quick substitute for the energy generationcapacity.

Motor-generator 102 generally includes two primary components, a rotorand a stator. Either the rotor or the stator may constitute the armatureor the magnetic field. The magnetic field is generally created via fieldcoils, which may be powered via a portion of the electricity from thepower transmission line. The electrically generated magnetic field mayconstitute an electro-mechanical component and electricity from thepower transmission line may provide the electric current used to createthe magnetic field. The motor portion of the motor-generator maycomprise an AC or a DC motor, including, but not limited to, multiphase,asynchronous and synchronous AC motors. In some embodiments, the motorincludes a brake component to hold the twisted component 101 in thestrained configuration. The brake may directly constrain the rotor ofthe motor in various embodiments. In other embodiments, as disclosedfurther herein, the brake may constrain component 101 and may be includea system that is integral or separate from the motor-generator 102 andcomponent 101. Although motor—generator 102 is illustrated in FIG. 1 asa combined motor and generator various inventive embodiments may includea separate and distinct motor and generator and may include a pluralityof motors or actuators and a plurality of generators, which may becoupled to one or more elastically deformable components.

Component 101 may be held in the twisted configuration for the requiredtimeframe and released upon command. The control of the motor-generator102, including actuation and release, may be controlled via acontroller. The controller may be a local controller or may include aremotely controlled system. At the appropriate command, the twistedcomponent 101 may be released. The restoring force exerted by therelease of the twisted component may be used to mechanically move therotor of the motor-generator, such that motion of the magnetic fieldinduces an electrical current to flow in the coils previously powered bypower transmission line. The current induced by the mechanical motion ofthe rotor may be directed back towards the power transmission line andthereby inserted back into the electrical grid. In various embodiments,a capacitor may be included to store energy that is in excess of whatthe tension in the wire may elastically hold. For example, this approachmay be used if the power required to be shed from the grid to maintainthe power transmission line operating at the right power level andfrequency exceeds that storable by tension in component 102. At least aportion of the tension may be released to charge the capacitor and theexcess energy from the grid may be used to recharge and re-apply tensiongenerating force to component 102. The tension in the cable may bemonitored, for example via a strain gauged or other sensor, fordetermining when the capacity of the elastically deformable componenthas been reached. Such a schematic for sharing power between a devicesuch as a capacitor and the elastically deformable component 102,affords increased overall capacity of system 100. In some embodiments,power generated by the restoring force of tensioned component may beused to magnetize the field magnets. Power input into motor-generator102 and power output from motor-generator 102 may be facilitated viaconnections 104, which may link to a central connection interface 107coupled to power transmission line 110. As mentioned, electrical energy109 may be transmitted to apparatus 100 from the power transmission line110 and electrical energy 108 may be transmitted to the powertransmission line 110 from apparatus 100.

A control system may be provided for controlling the consumption andgeneration of electrical energy by apparatus 100. The control system maybe connected to a sensor for monitoring the frequency of the powertransmitted in the power transmission line 110. The information receivedfrom the sensor may be used to initiate, increase, or decrease energyconsumption as needed to maintain the power transmission line at aspecific frequency. The control system may implement a computer program,which may be configured to control operation of a plurality of energystorage and generation apparatuses.

FIG. 2 illustrates an energy storage and generation apparatus connectedto a power source, according to another exemplary embodiment. The energystorage and generation apparatus 200 depicted in FIG. 2, in a mannersimilar to the embodiment of FIG. 1, operates through rotary actuation,as indicated by arrows 211, along an axis of elastically deformablecomponent 201. In various embodiments, rotary actuation may be about alongitudinal axis, and in some embodiments, rotary actuation may beabout an axis having a vertical component. However, as shown in FIG. 2,motor-generator 202 is coupled to elastically deformable component 201,which may be a cable component, at an intermediate location on component201 disposed between two opposing extremities of component 201.Accordingly, in this embodiment component 201 is coupled to both axialends of the rotor of motor generator 202. Motor-generator 202 remainsanchored via base components 205 to a stationary structure 206.

FIG. 3 shows an energy storage and generation apparatus having a linearactuator configured to translate in a direction transverse orsubstantially perpendicular to the axis of an energy storage component,according to another exemplary embodiment. Motor-generator 302, whichmay simply include a motor in some embodiments having a separategenerator, actuates linearly. Some inventive embodiments may include aplurality of motors and generators. As demonstrated in FIG. 3, linearlyactuating motor 302 via electrical energy transmitted from powertransmission line 110 causes the motor (or at least a portion thereof),to move in a direction that traverses the axis of elastically deformablecomponent 301, as indicated by arrow 307. Because component 301 iscoupled to motor-generator 302 via coupler 304, which may permitrotation, as motor 302 is actuated component 301 is stretched laterallyand the tension in component 301 is thereby increased. Accordingly, arestoring force is acting on component 301, which is anchored at anchors303. The restoring force is proportionate to the lateral displacement ofa portion of component 301 from its neutral location. As furtherdemonstrated, motor-generator 302 may be disposed on tracks 305, rigidlycoupled to support structures 306. Tracks 305 maintain properlyalignment of motor generator 302. Furthermore, because of the linear andpossibly reciprocating motion that may be exerted on motor-generator302, tracks 305 may include coils within which electrical current may beinduced for the generation of electricity as a magnetic field inmotor-generator 302 passes the coils via the exertion from the restoringforce of stretched component 301. The input current for electricallyactuating motor-generator 302 to displace the motor-generator andtension component 301 may be input through coils in tracks 305.Inputting and inducing current into coils 305 may be advantageous overinputting current into motor-generator and creating a magnetic field attracks 305 in some implementations as this allows the primary coils andhence the wires connected thereto to remain stationary.

FIG. 4 shows an energy storage and generation apparatus having a linearactuator configured to translate along the axis of an energy storagecomponent according to another exemplary embodiment. Motor-generator 402of apparatus 400, which may simply include a motor in some embodimentshaving a separate generator, also actuates linearly. However, incontrast to the embodiment demonstrated in FIG. 3, the embodiment shownin FIG. 4, when linearly actuated via electrical energy transmitted frompower transmission line 110, causes the motor (or at least a portionthereof) to move in a direction along or parallel to the axis ofelastically deformable component 401 as indicated by arrow 407. FIG. 4further demonstrates independent braking components 404. Brake 404 maybe actuated to exert inward and oppositely opposed forces on component401. This clamping force may be applied after extension to maintain thepotential energy in stretched component 401, without requiring the motorand bearing components therein to sustain high axial forces applied bythe restoring force of the tensioned component 401 on the motor orbearing contained therein. As described in connection with FIG. 3,motor-generator 402 may be disposed on one or more tracks 405, whichtracks may include coils within which electrical current may be inducedfor the generation of electricity as a magnetic field in motor-generator402 passes the coils via the exertion from the restoring force ofstretched component 401. The input current for electrically actuatingmotor-generator 402 to displace the motor-generator and tensioncomponent 401 may be input through coils in tracks 405.

FIG. 5 depicts an energy storage and generation apparatus actuating afolded or undulated energy storage component according to anotherexemplary embodiment. Energy storage and generation apparatus 500 usesrotary motion for application of force generating linear tension andconversely uses linear tension to generate electricity through rotatingmechanical actuation. Motor-generator 502 includes a rotary motor and arotary generator. Electrical actuation of the rotor of rotor-generator502 causes application of linear tension to elastically deformablecomponent 501. Stretching of component 501 is accommodated via bearings504, which may rotate as component 501 is stretched or which may becomposed of a low friction material that affords sliding of component501 around the bearings. The component is attached to structure 503 topermit linear stretching. Once the tension in component 501 is released,it causes rotor 505 of motor-generator 502 to rotate in the oppositedirection that it was actuated in to stretch the pulley. This rotationof the rotor 505, which may comprise the magnetic field, may be used toinduce a current to flow in coils 506 surrounding the magnetized rotor,thereby produces electricity for transmission to the power transmissionline 110 as required.

As described above, elastically deformable components provided hereinmay include a cable, which cable may be a non-rotating cable, amonolithic cable, a stranded cable, a straight stranded cable, or atwisted stranded cable. The cable may have a circular cross-section, arectangular cross-section, or a ribbon-like cross section. The cable maybe a hanging cable in accordance with some embodiments and may bepre-tensioned, for example, via weights. The cable may be composed ofsteel in some embodiments. The cable may be composed of steel, anorganic polymer, a synthetic polymer such as Kevlar (poly-paraphenyleneterephthalamide), or Zylon (poly-phenylene benzobisoxazole), of a carbonfiber, such as carbon nanotubes.

A variety of braking mechanisms may be used to retain the tension in thecable. In addition to the clamping mechanism described above inconnection with FIG. 4, braking may be achieved via an actuatable pin,which pin may lock the motor-generator or may be engageable with thecable for locking, or a ratchet mechanism preventing back-rotationunless disengaged.

In various embodiments, the motor-generator may include or be comprisedof an actuator or power transducer in the form of an electro-hydraulicactuator, an electro-magnetic actuator, an electro-fluidic actuator oranother type of electromechanical actuator, such as a piezo-electricmotor.

In various inventive embodiments, the energy storage apparatus mayinclude at least one sensor coupled to at least one of the elasticallydeformable component or the actuator-generator, which sensor may beconfigured to measure an energy storage quantity or an energy efficiencyof the energy storage apparatus. The energy storage quantity mayquantify the strain energy stored, the energy input for generatingtension, or the energy recovered from the system. The energy storagequantity may measure the cumulative stored energy, which may be thecumulative energy added to the energy storage apparatus or thecumulative energy returned to a power transmission line by an energystorage apparatus. This cumulative energy quantity may be used as apricing metric to determine how much energy storage a user or a consumermay be charged for. Similarly, the energy efficiency may measure thecumulative stored energy which may quantify the energy input relative tothe energy recovered or generated by the system. The energy storagequantity may provide a metric used to determine an amount charged to aconsumer using energy stored and or generated by an inventive embodimentprovided herein.

While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustratedherein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision avariety of other means and/or structures for performing the functionand/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantagesdescribed herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications isdeemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments describedherein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations describedherein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters,dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon thespecific application or applications for which the inventive teachingsis/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able toascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalentsto the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is,therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presentedby way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claimsand equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practicedotherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventiveembodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individualfeature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein.In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent,is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

The above-described embodiments of the invention can be implemented inany of numerous ways. For example, some embodiments may be implementedusing hardware, software or a combination thereof. When any aspect of anembodiment is implemented at least in part in software, the softwarecode can be executed on any suitable processor or collection ofprocessors, whether provided in a single computer or distributed amongmultiple computers.

In this respect, various aspects of the invention may be embodied atleast in part as a computer readable storage medium (or multiplecomputer readable storage media) (e.g., a computer memory, one or morefloppy discs, compact discs, optical discs, magnetic tapes, flashmemories, circuit configurations in Field Programmable Gate Arrays orother semiconductor devices, or other tangible computer storage mediumor non-transitory medium) encoded with one or more programs that, whenexecuted on one or more computers or other processors, perform methodsthat implement the various embodiments of the technology discussedabove. The computer readable medium or media can be transportable, suchthat the program or programs stored thereon can be loaded onto one ormore different computers or other processors to implement variousaspects of the present technology as discussed above.

The terms “program” or “software” are used herein in a generic sense torefer to any type of computer code or set of computer-executableinstructions that can be employed to program a computer or otherprocessor to implement various aspects of the present technology asdiscussed above. Additionally, it should be appreciated that accordingto one aspect of this embodiment, one or more computer programs thatwhen executed perform methods of the present technology need not resideon a single computer or processor, but may be distributed in a modularfashion amongst a number of different computers or processors toimplement various aspects of the present technology.

Computer-executable instructions may be in many forms, such as programmodules, executed by one or more computers or other devices. Generally,program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, datastructures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Typically the functionality of the program modulesmay be combined or distributed as desired in various embodiments.

Also, the technology described herein may be embodied as a method, ofwhich at least one example has been provided. The acts performed as partof the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly,embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an orderdifferent than illustrated, which may include perfoiming some actssimultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrativeembodiments.

The claims should not be read as limited to the described order orelements unless stated to that effect. It should be understood thatvarious changes in form and detail may be made by one of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims. All embodiments that come within the spirit and scope of thefollowing claims and equivalents thereto are claimed.

1-71. (canceled)
 72. A method of storing energy transmitted by a powertransmission line, the method comprising: generating tension in anelastically deformable component via an electrically actuatable motorduring a temporal period of electrical actuation of the motor via energytransmitted from the power transmission line; and actuating anelectrical generator coupled to the elastically deformable component viarestoring force produced by the elastically deformable component duringa release of at least a part of the tension induced in the elasticallydeformable component, whereby electrical energy is generated.
 73. Themethod according to claim 72, further comprising transmitting theelectrical energy generated to the power transmission line.
 74. Themethod according to claim 72, wherein the electrically actuatable motorand the generator are coupled.
 75. The method according to claim 72,wherein the electrically actuatable motor includes a drive shaft coupledto the generator. 76-90. (canceled)
 91. The method according to claim72, wherein the induced tension is torsional.
 92. The method accordingto claim 72, wherein the induced tension is linear.
 93. The methodaccording to claim 72, wherein the motor is a rotary motor.
 94. Themethod according to claim 72, wherein the motor is a linear motor. 95.The method according to claim 72, wherein the motor is actuated via atleast one of an electro-hydraulic component, an electromechanicalcomponent, an electromagnetic component, or an electro-fluidiccomponent.
 96. The method according to claim 72, wherein the motor isactuated via a piezoelectric component.
 97. The method according toclaim 72, wherein the electrically actuatable motor and the generatorare connected to a power transmission line.
 98. The method according toclaim 72, further comprising regulating, via a controller, electricalenergy consumption of the electrically actuatable motor and electricalenergy generation of the generator.
 99. The method according to claim72, further comprising measuring, via a sensor coupled to at least oneof the elastically deformable component or the actuator generator, theamount of tension applied to the elastically deformable component. 100.The method according to claim 72, further comprising measuring, via astrain gauge, strain in the elastically deformable component.
 101. Themethod according to claim 72, wherein actuating an electrical generatorcoupled to the elastically deformable component via restoring forceproduced by the elastically deformable component during a release of atleast a part of the tension induced in the elastically deformablecomponent occurs after the generated tension has been maintained in theelastically deformable component over a period of time.
 102. The methodaccording to claim 72, further comprising measuring an energy storagequantity.
 103. The method according to claim 102, further comprisingcharging an energy user based on the measured energy storage quantity.104. The method according to claim 72, further comprising measuring anenergy efficiency.
 105. A method of maintaining a power transmissionline at a specified electrical frequency, the method comprising:measuring an electrical frequency of the power transmission line; andadjusting the electrical frequency of the power transmission line suchthat the electrical frequency is substantially equal to the specifiedelectrical frequency by at least one of removing electricity from thepower transmission line or adding electricity to the power transmissionline, wherein removing electricity from the power transmission linecomprises transmitting electricity from the power transmission line toan electrically actuatable motor and thereby actuating the motor togenerate tension in an elastically deformable component and whereinadding electricity to the power transmission line comprises generating,with a generator coupled to the elastically deformable component,electricity via actuation of the generator by a restoring force producedby the elastically deformable component during a release of at least apart of the tension induced in the elastically deformable component.106. The method of maintaining a power transmission line at a specifiedelectrical frequency according to claim 105, further comprising removingelectricity from the power transmission line and adding electricity tothe power transmission line at rates greater than or equal to 10 Hz.107. The method of maintaining a power transmission line at a specifiedelectrical frequency according to claim 105, further comprising removingelectricity from the power transmission line and adding electricity tothe power transmission line at rates greater than or equal to 1 Hz. 108.The method of maintaining an electrical output of a power transmissionline at a specified electrical frequency according to claim 105, whereinthe electrically actuatable motor and the generator are coupled to oneanother.
 109. The method of maintaining a power transmission line at aspecified electrical frequency according to claim 105, wherein theelastically deformable component is a cable.
 110. The method ofmaintaining a power transmission line at a specified electricalfrequency according to claim 105, further comprising removing, via afilter, electricity at a frequency distinct from the specifiedelectrical frequency from the power transmission line and transmittingthe electricity at a frequency distinct from the specified electricalfrequency to the motor to apply tension to the elastically deformablecomponent.
 111. A computer program product comprising computer readablecode stored on a tangible storage medium, the computer readable codeforming a computer program executable by a computer for maintaining anelectrical output of a power transmission line at a specified electricalfrequency, the computer program comprising, computer code for causing asensor to measure the electrical frequency of the power transmissionline; and computer code for adjusting the electrical frequency of thepower transmission line such that the electrical frequency issubstantially equal to the specified electrical frequency by at leastone of removing electricity from the power transmission line or addingelectricity to the power transmission line, wherein removing electricityfrom the power transmission line comprises causing transmission ofelectricity from the power transmission line to an electricallyactuatable motor and thereby actuating the motor to induce tension in anelastically deformable component and wherein adding electricity to thepower transmission line comprises causing generation, via a generatorcoupled to the elastically deformable component, of electricity viaactuation of the generator by a restoring force produced by theelastically deformable component during a release of at least a part ofthe tension induced in the elastically deformable component and causingtransmission of the generating electricity to the power transmissionline.